Hapkido is generally less cardio-fitness based than taekwondo. It specialising in using the opponent's strength against them to take them down, disable, and if necessary, finish them. It's not a nice art, it involves using joint locks, arm bars, jabbing the eyes, throat, elbowing the head, etc. You can't learn it without experiencing the pain yourself. You don't get out of breath because you've had to be on the feet bouncing for a two minute round, throwing kicks and punches, you're out of breath because it's been taken from you and you're hurled across the room.

Because of this, when I feel I haven't done well, it feels like I've done nothing at all. Tonight was a bit like that. 2 hours of being tossed to the floor, being beaten with a short stick (I have newly forming bruises on my arms to prove it), and I've walked away feeling I haven't done much. Probably didn't help that this was the first session I spent not wearing sunglasses, so I strained my eye and got a headache towards the end.

Something I did notice. You need a good partner. Usually I am paired up on a Wed with a fellow 7th kup, (10th kup = white belt, 9th kup = white belt, yellow stripe, 8th kup = yellow belt, 7th kup = yellow belt green stripe, and so on) about 12 years old, and weighs as much as one of my mighty calves. As fun and full of energy as she is, I need only stare at her to make her fold. It means you can't properly execute moves, and she certainly isn't great on someone as dense in body as I am.

If I teach my own classes, I think I'll try to switch up partners through the classes. Also try to separate up families. It occurs to me that younger family members together often end up scrapping. This isn't just because I see others do it, but because I practice with both my older and younger brother. I end up beating on the younger, and the older and I end up in strength battles 100% of the time.

In better news! I got my certificate and my new belt today. I am officially 7th kup! Already have my eyes on 6th. No more training sessions for me until after the tournament on Sunday. Wish me luck!